Yes, in most cases, international students renting privately in the UK will be asked for a UK-based guarantor. For many, it becomes one of the biggest hurdles when trying to secure rental accommodation.
If you’ve just moved to the UK and been asked for a guarantor, you might be asking yourself why. The truth is, it’s one of the biggest sticking points in the UK rental market, especially for students, expats and anyone new to the country.
Here, we explain everything you need to know about when landlords can ask for a guarantor, what’s changing under the new Renters Rights Act, and what your options are if you don’t have one.
The good news is, if you don’t have anyone in the UK who can act as your guarantor, you don’t have to put your plans on hold.
Rentmigo acts as your UK guarantor. Simply sign up, prove your eligibility and we’ll handle the rest.
That way, you can spend less time worrying about securing a guarantor and more time finding the right accommodation for you.
What is a UK guarantor for students?
In the UK, a guarantor is someone who agrees to step in and cover your rent if you’re unable to pay.
From a landlord’s point of view, it’s a financial safety net. If anything goes wrong, they know someone else can cover the rent.
For international students, this is particularly important because:
- You may not have a UK credit history, so landlords don’t know you are financially responsible
- You may not have rented in the UK before, so you won’t have other landlord references for them to call on
- Your income may be limited or based outside the UK, making it harder to access if things go wrong.
Because of this, many landlords automatically ask for a guarantor before approving your tenancy.
Why do international students usually need a UK guarantor?
International students need a UK guarantor because they are generally seen as risky tenants.
When landlords rent to someone new to the UK, they have less information to rely on. They can’t easily check your credit history or rental track record, so a guarantor gives them reassurance.
You’re more likely to be asked for a guarantor if you:
- Are renting for the first time in the UK
- Don’t have a UK credit score
- Don’t have a full-time UK income
- Are applying in a competitive student city like London or Manchester
Even if you can afford the rent, not having a UK financial footprint can make landlords hesitant.
Does your guarantor have to live in the UK?
In most cases, yes, your guarantor has to live in the UK.
Landlords usually want a guarantor who:
- Is over the age of 18
- Lives in the UK
- Has a strong credit history
- Has a stable income
- Can realistically cover the rent if needed
- Sometimes a UK homeowner too
This is where many international students struggle, as family members or friends abroad often won’t meet these criteria.
What happens if you don’t have a UK guarantor?
If you don’t have someone in the UK who can act as your guarantor, you still have a few options.
Paying rent upfront
Some landlords may accept several months of rent upfront instead of a guarantor.
However, even if you have a chunk of savings to put down, with the new Renters Rights Act coming in, landlords will be limited by how much rent they can take in advance, so it may not be an option in the near-future.
University-backed schemes
Some universities offer rent guarantee schemes for students. These are worth checking with your accommodation office, but availability can be limited and you may not have a choice.
Using a professional guarantor service
This is now one of the most common solutions.
Instead of asking a friend or family member, you can use a company that acts as your guarantor in the UK.
At Rentmigo, our rent guarantor service exists to help international students secure accommodation without needing a UK-based guarantor.
All you have to do is sign up, prove you can afford the rent, and we’ll act as your guarantor for you.
Find out more about our professional rent guarantor service here.
Why so many international students rely on guarantor services
For many students moving to the UK, the biggest challenge isn’t affording the rent, it’s accessing a guarantor to allow them to rent.
You might have savings, funding or family support, but without a UK guarantor, landlords may still reject your tenancy application.
That’s why so many international students are turning to professional guarantor services instead of asking family to take on financial risk or trying to find someone in the UK to help.
See more information on rent guarantors for international students.
Rent in the UK, even if you don’t have a guarantor
Finding a place to rent in the UK can be hard enough without the added stress of finding a guarantor.
Across the country, it’s becoming more common for international tenants to be asked for a UK guarantor before they can rent a private property. For international students, expats, freelancers or professionals that are new to the country, that can make finding a home surprisingly difficult.
Rentmigo exists to solve this problem.
Instead of relying on family or friends to take on financial risk, you can use Rentmigo as your rental guarantor and secure the property you want.
We act as a UK-based rent guarantor, giving landlords the security they need to approve your tenancy. If you can afford the rent but don’t have someone in the UK who can guarantee it for you, Rentmigo can step in.
